Gov’s Green Grades (update)

The New York League of Conservation Voters issued a report card for Gov. Eliot Spitzer today on his environmental progress after 100-odd days in office. The group didn’t use grades; his ratings ranged from good or outstanding to “needs improvment,” The ratings went as low as “Here’s the quick rundown”:

Making a Stronger Commitment For Environmental Justice: Needs Improvement

Promoting a Smart Growth Development Strategy: Needs Improvement

Developing an Environmentally Sound Transportation Policy: Fair

The report was prepared before Spitzer spoke today on his energy policy and laid out these goals:

Reduce electricity use by 15 percent from forecasted levels by the year 2015 through new energy efficiency programs in industry and government;

Create new appliance efficiency standards and set more rigorous energy building codes;

Provide $295 million in funding for renewable energy projects throughout the state; and

Propose power plant siting legislation that creates an expedited review process for new wind power projects, re-powering projects that reduce emissions, and other power plants that have very low levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

Update: The league followed up on Spitzer’s speech on its blog, musing:

So what’s behind this pre-Earth Day (April 22) proclamation?

Is he trying to “out green” Mayor Bloomberg before his major Earth Day speech?

Or perhaps an attempt to improve his energy record before we released our 100-Day Environmental Progress Report on the governor?

Whatever the motivation, here’s what our boss has to say about it:

“New York needs a comprehensive energy plan that encourages energy efficiency, reduces CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, as well as promotes renewable energy,” said Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

“Governor Spitzer’s announcement comes at a critical time as the state desperately needs a roadmap to ensure clean energy production as well as the availability of traditional sources of energy, either through transmission upgrades, re-powering, or new power plants.”